Longmont Amateur Radio Club - Colorado

17 Sept 2007, Brian (N5ZGT) and Dwayne (WY7FD) are campaigning for election as ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director and Vice Director respectively. If elected, Ray (W9LQM), asked what they would do about antenna restrictions, BPL, encouragement for finding a club meeting place and ham shack and their feelings about Ham Fests.

Brian talked about having worked on legislation in New Mexico to overturn antenna restrictions. The key to success was the personal visits to the local commissioners. This provided a relaxed setting to talk about the simple physics of needing a lot of room for the lowest frequency bands. Wayne was shocked to find that even on his 38 acres in Wyoming, he had to fight for the right to raise his tower. He too suggests getting right to the people who make the decisions and showing them "The ARRL goes to Washington" video.

On the issue of BPL, both Brian and Dwayne feel that it will not be as big a problem as time goes on - inasmuch as there are other more cost effective alternatives. However, this is not a reason to give up the fight. They both support the recent ARRL action to take the FCC to court. But fortunately, for us here in the Rocky Mountain Division, at the present there are no companies expressing an interest in pursuing BPL.

As far as a club obtaining a meeting place and and permanent ham shack, they simply suggest the same thing: work with the people (most often government officials or employees) who make the decisions.

Both Brian and Wayne love Ham Fests. Dwayne feels that they are "a necessary force in Ham Radio, they are the thread that keeps it together". He feels that an important aspect is the personal contact among Hams and would like to see them happen more often. Bryan suggested doing more at Ham Fests than just vendors with gear to sell and VE testing. He suggested competitions, like fox hunts and the best home brew award. He had seen a very successful "off the wall" cw contest where a paddle was constructed which had to be operated with ones knees. Or, even more fun was the keyer rigged to a toilet seat - a crowd pleaser even for non-hams. Dwayne suggests things that the XYL can get interested in - even to the extent of providing quilting or picture frame classes. Further, Dwayne suggests speakers at any sit-down meals.

As a campaign promise, Brian and Dwayne will sponsor regular phone conferences so that anyone can address them directly with their concerns. In addition, if elected, they promise that one or the other of them will come to the April 2008 LARC Fest.

All ARRL members will receive a ballet in the mail between 24 September and 1 October. All ballets must be returned by 16 November 2008 to be counted.

For more information and how to contact Brian and Dwayne go to: http://voterockymountain.org/

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